Many worried that black recruits might defy government authority. Local antagonists closely observed the activities at Camp William Penn. The camp, which was fully operational by July 4, 1863, served as the training ground for eleven regiments, nearly 11,000 men, in its two years of existence. The camp was the largest federal training facility for African-American soldiers. Louis Wagner, who was recovering from wounds received at the Battle of Chancellorsville, volunteered to take command of the camp in early 1863. Stanton, but, when final plans were approved, the camp was named William Penn.Īll of the troops at Camp William Penn were black volunteers who came from a number of states. Originally, the camp was to be named after Lincoln's Secretary of War, Edwin M. This parcel was located in Chelten Hills in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, just outside the city limits of Philadelphia. The family of Lucretia Mott, an abolitionist and women's rights advocate, leased land they owned to the Federal government so that a training camp could be established there. From the collection of the National Archives and Records Administration. Camp William Penn became the "training camp for colored troops enlisted into the United States Army." 26th United States Colored Volunteer Infantry at Camp William Penn, 1865. Often blacks who enlisted were treated rudely and were turned away. Thousands of ex-slaves and free blacks displayed a desire to prove they were citizens, like the soldiers currently fighting the war. History Īfter Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, many freed blacks stepped forward to fight in the army. It was the largest training camp for African American soldiers. Some 11,000 free blacks and escaped slaves were trained here, including 8,612 from Pennsylvania, the most black troops recruited during the war from any northern state. 7322 Sycamore Ave., La Mott, PennsylvaniaĤ0☀3′59″N 75☀8′32″W / 40.06635°N 75.1423°W / 40.06635 -75.1423Ĭamp William Penn was a Union Army training camp located in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania from 1863 to 1865, notable for being the first training ground dedicated to African American troops who enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
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